Press Release

RBC BANK KICKS OFF BIGGER-THAN-EVER TRIBUTE TO TEACHERS PROGRAM

8th Annual Program to Recognize 100 Teachers

Raleigh, N.C. – January 3, 2011 – RBC Bank is kicking off its eighth annual Tribute to Teachers program and will recognize 100 teachers throughout the bank’s Southeast footprint. Starting today, students, parents, community members – anyone – can nominate their favorite teacher for a chance to win up to $2,000 in a classroom supply shopping spree! 100 winners will receive classroom cash to use toward the purchase of classroom learning tools, such as art supplies and audio-visual learning aids.

“We believe that educating our children better prepares them to be savvy consumers and community members, and a good education starts with our teachers,” said Reggie Davis, president of RBC Bank. “This year’s RBC Bank Tribute to Teachers program is bigger than ever, and we’re excited to reward the excellent teachers in our communities.”

Tribute to Teachers began in 2004 as a way to recognize elementary and middle school teachers who demonstrate exceptional leadership in the classroom and in their communities. Anyone can nominate a current elementary, middle or high school teacher in Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida or Alabama online until March 13, 2011, by visiting rbcbankusa.com/tribute. This year, RBC Bank will host an additional awards period in the fall, with winners selected from nominations received from March 14 to October 16, 2011.

“The RBC Bank Tribute to Teachers program demonstrates public appreciation for educators and provides funds for purchasing the materials teachers need to implement creative teaching and enhanced student learning,” said Stephanie Gould-Olsen, a fifth grade Language Arts and Science teacher at Pine View Elementary School in Sarasota, Fla., and a 2010 Tribute to Teachers grand prize winner. “I was flabbergasted that I would have this money to spend for materials to teach creatively.”

Through the two nomination periods combined, a total of one hundred teachers throughout the Southeast will each receive $500, and two of these winners will be randomly selected to also receive a $2,000 school supply shopping spree.

About RBC Bank

RBC Bank, headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., offers a wide range of financial services and advice to individuals, businesses and public institutions throughout the Southeast. RBC Bank’s network includes more than 420 full-service banking centers in six states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia), an extensive ATM network and telephone and online banking. RBC Bank is the 40th largest U.S. bank by consolidated assets, according to SNL Financial’s List of the Nation’s 50 Largest Banks, September 2010. RBC Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) (RY on the TSX and NYSE), Canada's largest and most stable bank as measured by assets and market capitalization. In August 2009, Global Finance Magazine ranked RBC as the safest bank in the Western Hemisphere. RBC is also one of the world's financial, social and environmental corporate leaders, having appeared on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index every year since its creation in 1999. Additional information about RBC Bank may be found at www.rbcbankusa.com.